Two teenagers have gone on trial accused of murdering a 15-year-old boy in a sword attack in Glasgow. Amen Teklay was found seriously injured on Clarendon Street, Maryhill, on March 5 last year and died at the scene.
Murder Charge Details
The murder charge alleges that the two boys, aged 16 and 17, with their faces masked, assaulted Amen and brandished a frying pan and a sword or similar instrument at him at Glenfarg Street and Clarendon Street that night. It is alleged that the pair, who cannot be named due to their age, chased Amen and struck him on the body with the sword, leaving him so severely injured that he died.
The two boys deny the charge and the 16-year-old has lodged a special defence of self defence. The 16-year-old boy is also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice on March 5, 2025 by hiding a blood-stained top and disposing of a sword or similar instrument, by means unknown to the prosecutor.
Additional Charges
It is also alleged the 16-year-old, while acting with another person, behaved in a threatening or abusive manner on March 2 last year in that they brandished a sword and metal barrier or similar instruments at Amen and chased him. The 16-year-old is also charged with unlawful possession of a blade, namely a sword or similar instrument, at a number of locations in Glasgow between March 2 and 5 2025.
It is also alleged that, while acting with two other people, he assaulted Amen on February 12 last year on Great Western Road, Glasgow. The two teenagers have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Trial Proceedings
Jurors were sworn in on Thursday at the trial which is taking place before Lord Colbeck at the High Court in Glasgow. Addressing the jurors, he told them: “You must reach your verdicts based on the evidence.”
Memorial and Fundraising
A memorial service was held for Amen in Glasgow's Kinning Park Parish Church following his death. He was described as "bright" and "kind". Plans were made for Amen's body to be flown to Ethiopia where a full funeral was to take place. A GoFundMe fundraising page was also set up to raise money for the teenager's family with a £10,000 target having been set.
